BETHLEHEM: Israeli colonists Tuesday evening assaulted Palestinian farmers in the al-Maniya village, southeast of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, according to a local source.

Zayed Kawazba, head of al-Maniya Village Council, said that approximately 150 armed colonists mounted an attack against farmers to the east of the village, while simultaneously opening fire, triggering confrontations.

There was no immediate information on any casualty.

Colonist violence against Palestinians and their property is routine in the West Bank and is rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities.

Colonist violence includes property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, attacks on vulnerable homes, among others.

There are over 700,000 Israeli colonists living in colonial settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA